(a)

1. (1) A public school that serves a student in grades ten through twelve (10-12) shall administer college and career readiness assessments, including a career readiness assessment that leads to a nationally recognized work readiness certificate, as determined by the State Board of Education, to each student who chooses to take the assessment before he or she graduates from high school.

2. (2) “College and career readiness assessment” means a set of nationally recognized measurements of a student's acquisition of the knowledge and skills that the student needs to:

   1. (A) Be successful in credit-bearing, first-year courses at an institution of higher education; or
   2. (B) Earn other postsecondary credentials including, but not limited to, industry-recognized credentials or technical certifications that allow a student to embark on a career.
3. (3) Students with disabilities should be encouraged to participate in the college and career readiness assessment.
4. (4) A career readiness assessment under this subsection may include without limitation the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).

5. (5)

   1. (A) State or federal funds may be used to administer college and career readiness assessments in addition to the required statewide high school assessment.
   2. (B) A Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze credential through the ACT WorkKeys (NCRC) shall be used by an institution of higher education as transcribable credit toward the attainment of a postsecondary technical degree.

(b) Public schools shall use the results from the college and career readiness assessment to:

1. (1) Inform student success plans;
2. (2) Assist students with course selection; and

3. (3) Assist with:

   1. (A) Academic achievement; and
   2. (B) College and career readiness skills.

(d) To provide a foundation for the development of a student success plan, a public school district shall:

1. (1) Provide career awareness and exploration activities to all public school students in grades six through eight (6-8) that create links between what a student does in school and what a student wants to achieve in life, as described in Arkansas Code § 6-16-1802(a); and

2. (2)

   1. (A) Hold an informational meeting for parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to students enrolled in grades six through twelve (6-12) within the public school district to provide information regarding graduation requirements and curriculum choices.
   2. (B) The informational meeting required under subdivision (d)(2)(A) of this section shall be held in conjunction with the scheduling of courses for the next academic year.
   3. (C) Notice of the informational meeting required under subdivision (d)(2)(A) of this section shall be provided through existing means of communication.